Self-propelled water skis



Aug. 18, 1964 R. E. MASER SELF-PROPELLED WATER SKIS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 27, 1-962 Fig. Y

m m m m ROBERT E. MASER ATTORNEY Aug. 18, 1964 R. E. MASER SELF-PROPELLED WATER SKIS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 27, 1962 INVENTOR. gum E. MASER BY ATTORNEY United States Patent 0. F

3,144,849 SELF-PROPELLED WATER SKIS Robert E. Maser, 851 Pickering Lane, Media, Pa. Filed Sept. 27, 1962, Ser. No. 226,639 11 Claims. (Cl. 115-70) This invention relates to a water transportation device. More particularly, it relates to water skis intended primarily for sporting use. More specifically, it relates to a pair of individually self-powered water skis including flotation means, linking means, and control means.

Many attempts have been made to modify existing commonly known water skis. Attempts have been made to provide self-propulsion devices more or less similar to surf boards. The present invention contemplates the provision of a pair of true, independent water skis each of the skis being provided with its own propulsion. Additional important aspects of this invention relate to structural details whereby safety and ease of operation of the skis is assured.

An object of this invention is to provide a self-propelled water ski.

Another object of this invention is to provide a pair of self-propelled water skis.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a pair of separable self-propelled water skis including the means to selectively link said skis together, flotation means, motor means in each ski, and the control and balancing means for the operator thereof.

Other aims and objects of this invention are made apparent in the following specification and claims.

The invention is best understood in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a pair of skis in operation:

FIGURE 2 is a cross-sectional longitudinal view through the right-hand ski of FIGURE 1:

FIGURE 3 is a detailed, partly cross-sectional, partly fragmented view of the linking mechanism:

FIGURE 4 is an elevation view of part of the control and balancing mechanism; and

FIGURE 4A is a cross-sectional view taken on line 4A4A of FIGURE 4.

The right hand ski A and left hand ski 10B are substantial duplicates with the exception of the operative parts of the linking mechanism, and the description of one such ski serves as a description of the other in all other respects. The ski 10A consists of a forward flotation chamber A, and a rear flotation chamber B. These chambers are partly defined, as shown, by side walls 18. The rear flotation chamber B has a rear wall and a front bulkhead, and the front flotation chamber A has a top Wall 12 and a rear bulkhead.

A planing surface 19 is provided at the bottom of the ski and runs substantially the entire length thereof. The overall general proportions of this planing surface is like that of the conventional towed water skis. As best shown in FIGURE 2, the forward section of the planing surface 19 is turned upward. Transversely, the planing surface 19 is flat. The rear section of the planing surface 19, extending roughly from a position of the foot to the rear of the ski is also substantially flat longitudinally. A purpose of the forward sections upward curve is to permit steering by leaning the ski to one side. Thus, the ski is directed to the right while in motion by leaning to the right, and to the left by leaning to the left. In conventional skis, almost the entire length of the ski is longitudinally flat and there is a sharp upturn only at the very front portion. In the present ski, as shown, an upward curve is present in a major portion of the front section (defined as the section forward of the foot binder) of the planing 3,144,849 Patented Aug. 18, 1964 surface. Toward the extreme front of the ski, the upward curve rate is increased as shown.

The various walls as described above and similar parts of the ski may be constructed of Wood, fiber-glass or other well known suitable materials such as are generally used in small boat construction.

Near the rear of the ski, each of the side walls 18 is extended downwardly as best shown in FIGURE 2 to provide a propeller guard. The longitudinal section of FIG- URE 2 has removed the near side propeller guard, and only the far side propeller guard is shown behind the propeller.

The space between the front and rear flotation chambers constitutes a foot station 15 which in this embodiment appears as a well or recess. The foot of the operator is held in position on the ski by a foot binder 16. Such binders are commonly known and available and generally consist of resilient material shaped like a slipper. It may be secured to the ski in any suitable manner, such as with screws. Propulsion means 20 is provided preferably in the rear flotation chamber B. In the embodiment shown and for the purpose of illustration, this propulsion or motor means 20 is illustrated and described as a small conventional gasoline outboard motor. This motor 20 is mounted as shown in the rear flotation chamber. The propeller 21 is provided beneath planing surface 19 as shown. A conventional manual self-rewinding starting cord 24c may be provided. This cord 24c runs over a pulley 2417 provided inside flotation chamber B and terminates in a handle 24a. As shown, the handle is on the outside of the flotation chamber. The rubber or similar material from which such handles 24a are generally made also serves as a seal to keep water tight the hole through which cord 24c runs.

An ordinary outboard motor may generally require controls for certain adjustments, such as air, fuel mixture, choke, and idling speed. The adjustment controls 25 of these functions are extended through chamber B to the exterior front thereof and terminate in control knobs 25a. For clarity of illustration, only one typical control knob 25a is shown in the drawings. These control knobs are convenient for the operator to adjust by reaching down.

The throttle for the motor is used more frequently than the other controls, and this is therefore treated somewhat differently. The flexible throttle control shaft 34a housed in tubular housing 34 runs from the motor means 20 forward and out of rear flotation chamber B as shown and is then extended upwards so that the operator in the operative position as shown in FIGURE 1, can control the throttle setting with one hand.

Details of the hand or thumb operated throttle control are best shown in FIGURE 4. A pole 30, described in more detail below, is provided and the throttle control shaft or cable 34a is affixed near the top thereof by means of a clip 35. A throttle lever 32 is pivoted near the top of pole 39 on pivot 32a. As can be seen, motion of lever 32 controls the throttle setting of motor 20.

Access to the motor for refueling is by means of access port 14a normally closed by cap 14b.

Air must of course be provided for the motor 20. In the embodiment shown, a water excluding air intake means is provided at the front of the ski. This means is generally of the type often designated snorkel type. A J-shaped intake tube 11a extends upwardly through top 12 from the front of forward flotation chamber A, as best shown in FIGURE 2. The exterior opening of this tube faces downwardly and rearwardly. A float valve is provided to keep the inlet to tube 11a closed whenever it may be under water. In the embodiment shown, this float valve comprises a hinged float 11b which is pivoted to the open end of intake tube 11a at pivot 110. The float 11b is of buoyant material, and it is apparent that if the water level reaches the opening of the intake tube, the float valve will close and seal off the intake. As shown, this valve is rather crude, and it will be appreciated that many variations of this device may be employed without departing from the teaching of this invention.

The intake air is conducted from chamber A to chamber B by means of pipe 17, and thence may be used by the motor 20.

The motor 20 exhausts under water through exhaust pipe 22. A spring loaded flapper valve 23 is provided over the end of exhaust pipe 22 and prevents water from entering the motor. The exhaust back pressure created by operation of the motor will open this exhaust sealing means as required for operation.

As a safety feature, an ignition cut-01f switch is located beneath the heel of the foot binder. When the operator or skier is on the ski, the weight of his foot keeps this switch closed and permits the engine to run. If the skier should fall off or otherwise remove his foot from the ski, the spring loaded safety switch opens and cuts off the ignition. This is a conventional and well known expedient.

The pole 30 referred to above is the balance and steering pole. As shown, it is a hollow elongated member, preferably made of a water tight heavy gauge plastic sheet 31 and is hollow. Other suitable materials for this purpose are well known. As best seen in FIGURE 4A, the lower end of the pole is enlarged and has a low hydrodynamic drag shape. Preferably, also, as shown in FIGURE 4, the pole is curved backwards at its lower extremity. The series of hand or finger grips 31a are provided near the top of the pole.

In FIGURE 1, the angle or View of the drawing shows the pole 30 as rather short, but in practice the pole is preferably long enough, so that the lower end may touch the water if desired by the skier. As shown, the skier has tilted the pole 30 backwards and clear of the water.

The buoyant pole 30 has several uses. It holds the throttle control for one ski. It provides an aide in balancing either by being positioned or moved by the skier or, by having more or less of its lower end touched into the water. It will be appreciated that when the pole 30 touches the water, it creates a drag and thus the tendency to turn the ski toward the side on which the pole is dipped. The use of a pair of these poles as shown increases the balance and control of the skier. It is also possible and preferable to spring load the throttle lever 12 so that if the skiers grip is lost, the throttle will shut off.

As best shown in FIGURE 1, the skis are used in pairs, A and 10B. In operation, the skis 10A and 10B are not physically connected other than by the body of the skier. Thus, they constitute a true pair of water skis and resemble in appearance and operation the well known and commonly accepted towed water skis. The skier maintains his balance by shifting his weight and by shifting the balance poles 30 which he holds in each hand. He may shift these from one side to the other in the air, or may dip one or the other or both into the water. The skier independently controls the speed of each motor 20 and hence each ski by operation of the corresponding throttle lever 32. In this way, the skier can maintain the speed of the two skis together and can compensate for changes in the speed of one or the other ski which might tend to develop.

An important aspect of this invention lies in the method of starting the skiing operation and the structure for carrying this out. The skis are initially linked physically together in a close side by side relationship. The skier mounts the pair of skis and places his feet in the binders 16. During this mounting state, both motors 20 may be shut off. The raised rear flotation chambers B provide elevated tops which may serve together as a seat for the operator as he prepares to put the device in operation.

Still preferably in a seated position with the skis linked together, the operator starts each motor in the usual manner and makes whatever adjustments may be necessary. Then grapsing a pole 30 in each hand, he may control the rate of operation on each motor. At this point, the entire device is acting as a twin-engined boat.

When satisfied that the device is operating satisfactorily and in a balanced manner, the skier separates the physical link between the skis, by means of structure described below, and stands up in the foot stations 15. These skis drift apart a short distance and are held there by the skiers legs, as best shown in FIGURE 1.

The suitable method for executing turns is simply by leaning in the direction in which the turn is desired to be made. This of course tilts the planing surface 19 of each ski, and it will be appreciated that the upwardly concave front end of each planing surface 19 acts as a rudder to turn the skier. Variations in motor speed of one ski and use of the poles 30 as has been described may also contribute to the turn.

The linking means which selectively holds the skis together may be any one of a number of well known separable connecting means. In the embodiment shown, the inside wall 18 of the right ski 10A is provided with a pair of holes 18a. As best shown in FIGURE 3, the corresponding wall of the ski 10B is provided with matching headed studs 43b, which are spaced so as to fit into the corresponding holes 18a.

Each stud 43b may be fastened to the wall 18 by means of a shank 43a and a grommet or enlarged portion 44 which bears on the inside wall 18b.

A latch 49 is provided for each stud-hole set. The latch 40 comprises an arm 41 pivoted on pivot 42 and provided with a slot 41a. The slot 41a is positioned so that when headed stud 43b is inserted into hole 1811, the slot 41a fits over shank 43a behind the head, and thus holds the two skis together. The end of the arm 41 is provided with an operating bar 45.

The skier can unlatch the skis by pushing the operating bar 45 forward.

The scope of this invention is to be determined by the appended claims and it is understood that the foregoing specification and drawings are illustrative and not limiting.

Iclaim:

1. A water ski adapted to accommodate only one foot and only one buttock of a skier, comprising a planing surface, a front flotation chamber above the front of said planing surface, a rear flotation chamber with an elevated top and large volume compared to said front flotation chamber above the rear of said planing surface and adapted to serve as a seat for only one buttock of a skier, a foot station large enough to receive only one foot of a skier between said flotation chambers, independently operable propulsion means in said ski within at least one of said flotation chambers, control means connected to said propulsion means and operable from the exterior of said flotation chambers, a manual, rapidly selectively operable, rigid, latching, close-linking means on one side of said water ski whereby said water ski may be selectively, manually, rapidly connected in a close side-byside relationship to and disconnected from a second water ski, said Water ski being intended for use as one of a pair of similar skis.

2. A Water ski as set forth in claim 1 wherein said propulsion means is an internal combusion engine positioned in said rear flotation chamber and wherein an exhaust for said engine is provided from said rear flotation chamber and an air intake is provided in said front flotation chamber, said front flotation chamber being connected to said rear flotation chamber by a pipe.

3. A water ski as set forth in claim 2 wherein said air intake is provided with a valve to exclude water from said intake.

4. A water ski as set forth in claim 3 wherein said planing surface is substantially horizontal from said foot station to the rear, and said planing surface is curved upwardly toward the front of said front flotation chamber.

5. A water ski as set forth in claim 4 wherein a second water ski is provided, said second water ski being substantially identical to said first named ski except that said selectively operable linking means are on the side thereof adjacent to said first named water ski when said skis are pointed in the same direction, and are adapted to selectively link with the linking means on the first named water ski, a normal operating mode of said water skis being with said linking means unlinked.

6. A pair of water skis as set forth in claim 5 wherein said linking means comprise a male member on one said water ski, and a female member on said other water ski.

7. A pair of water skis as set forth in claim 6 wherein the controls for each said propulsion means include a throttle control, each said throttle control comprising a flexible control shaft extended from said rear flotation chamber and connected to a separate buoyant pole.

8. A pair of water skis as set forth in claim 7 wherein each of said buoyant poles has an enlarged end, each of said poles having a hand grip and having the throttle control shaft affixed at the end thereof distant from said enlarged end.

9. A pair of water skis as set forth in claim 8, wherein the foot station on each of said skis includes a foot binder, and wherein a pressure-actuated switch is provided the said foot binder, said switch closing the ignition circuit of said propulsion means when foot pressure is exerted on said foot station.

10. A pair of water skis as set forth in claim 9 wherein the rear flotation chamber on each of said skis is extended upwards to form together a seat for the water skier when said selective linking means are linked.

11. An elongated, buoyant pole adapted for use by a water skier in connection with a pair of self-propelled water skis, each of said skis having an independent propulsion means, said pole having a hand grip at the upper end thereof, a throttle control lever near said hand grip and positioned so as to be operable by a finger of a hand on said hand grip, said throttle control lever being operatively connected to said propulsion means of one of said skis by a flexible control shaft and said enlarged portion having a cross-section longer in the front to rear direction than in the side to side direction.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,094,136 Strawn Sept. 28, 1937 2,543,879 Stuckey Mar. 6, 1951 2,593,806 Steele Apr. 22, 1956 2,940,090 Fournier June 14, 1960 3,044,566 Mayr July 17, 1962 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,106,264 France July 20, 1955 52,289 Switzerland Nov. 22, 1937 

1. A WATER SKI ADAPTED TO ACCOMMODATE ONLY ONE FOOT AND ONLY ONE BUTTOCK OF A SKIER, COMPRISING A PLANING SURFACE, A FRONT FLOTATION CHAMBER ABOVE THE FRONT OF SAID PLANING SURFACE, A REAR FLOTATION CHAMBER WITH AN ELEVATED TOP AND LARGE VOLUME COMPARED TO SAID FRONT FLOTATION CHAMBER ABOVE THE REAR OF SAID PLANING SURFACE AND ADAPTED TO SERVE AS A SEAT FOR ONLY ONE BUTTOCK OF A SKIER, A FOOT STATION LARGE ENOUGH TO RECEIVE ONLY ONE FOOT OF A SKIER BETWEEN SAID FLOTATION CHAMBERS, INDEPENDENTLY OPERABLE PROPULSION MEANS IN SAID SKI WITHIN AT LEAST ONE OF SAID FLOTATION CHAMBERS, CONTROL MEANS CONNECTED TO SAID PROPULSION MEANS AND OPERABLE FROM THE EXTERIOR OF SAID FLOTATION CHAMBERS, A MANUAL, RAPIDLY SELECTIVELY OPERABLE, RIGID, LATCHING, CLOSE-LINKING MEANS ON ONE SIDE OF SAID WATER SKI WHEREBY SAID WATER SKI MAY BE SELECTIVELY, MANUALLY, RAPIDLY CONNECTED IN A CLOSE SIDE-BY- 